Just Me and My Maggie

With Jack and Daddy off to Florida for a long weekend, it was just me and my Maggie at the cottage. I have to admit, I was thinking, this is going to be tough--no boys? Which means no noise, which means I might actually get lonely.

Who was I kidding? Maggie is the best company a Mommy can ask for. My sweet, angelic, loving girl filled me up and over. There is no getting lonely in her presence--just peace. A peace that Maggie and I rarely ever get to experience together. And let me tell you, this past weekend will go down as one of my favorite memories.

I wish I had some grandiose plans to tell you about. {well, I actually did, Maggie and I were going to take our first trip to the zoo until the weather had other plans for us} But no, Maggie and I just spent our time being together...at the house...and loving it.

We took long walks {without a brother knocking on all his friends doors, climbing every tree in sight, and announcing when it was time to go home}. We even ate a picnic dinner on our walk Friday evening. Without the demand of a cooked dinner, Mags and I packed our PB&J's and hit the road. She loved it.

She fed me alphabet soup on a yellow plastic spoon from her Fisher Price Kitchen and hysterically laughed at each pretend bite I took. If only I could bottle up that sweet sound.

We ate all of our meals smack dab in the middle of the kitchen. Who needs a whole kitchen table with just two of us. Her high chair was a permanent fixture next to the island for 3 straight days.

We turned the music up in every room and danced around and sang. Two of Maggie's favorite things to do. Usually we get 'turned off' by brother.{why do preschoolers hate for their Mommy's to sing--or is just mine?}

She played dress up in my closet {from the ankles down}. My shoe diva had the time of her life trying on the shiniest pairs of shoes she could find. And then she made her way to my jewelry. With each arm filled to her elbow with bracelets she was absolutely stunning. She even checked herself out in the mirror and smiled her toothy grin at that baby staring back at her.

Maggie spent her days talking...a lot. I knew she had plenty of 'words'. But without interruptions from {ahem} a fellow family member, she really opened up. I spent my days thinking, "wow Mags, I didn't even know you knew that word". I realized in 3 days of a quiet house my Maggie's vocabulary is twice as big as I thought it was.

We didn't turn the t.v. on once, not even after Maggie said "nigh nigh". I've realized the need for t.v. is a "boy" thing around here {ironically mainly Daddy and his sports}.

We took extra long baths with extra bubbles and every single bath toy to herself. What a way to top off the days.

She snuggled in close to me at bedtime for books and I even threw in an extra one each night. It was hard to let her go--that sweet baby smell had me in a trance.

And we just loved on one another from head to toe the whole weekend through.

It was really a nothing kind of weekend, but it was everything to me. I fell in love with that girl all over again. I have decided this is a must...time {no more like days} with one child. We all deserve it, and as hard as it to make it happen we have to at least try.

So here is a look at our Maggie and Mommy weekend, I forgot to mention...we took a lot of pictures too...

Breakfast in the middle of the kitchen. We might have tried for picnics right there on the kitchen floor, but...we have a dog...and Maggie gets a kick out of feeding him.

We took our precious time going anywhere in the house. We had no where to go and more importantly, no one to rush us. This is now one of Maggie's 'musts'--climbing the stairs.

We read lots and lots and lots of books. And Maggie got to pick them all out. She is really becoming a book lover--I knew she would come around.

We played dress up with Mommy's jewelry--this girl was totally in her element.

She picked the shiniest pair of shoes she could find. And then after this--the pinkest pair she could find.

We loved our walks in between rain showers, as did Cosby,--I know, I know, this girly girl needs a pink car.

And the highlight of her days was an even bigger highlight when she had the whole tub to herself. She couldn't contain her excitement.

Maggie insists on a "bsh" {tooth brush} to clean her teeth after every bath. Big brother has a way of influencing her like that and even without him home to remind her, she didn't forget.

Partying As The Pirates Do

Happy 4th Birthday Captain Miller! Peg Leg Jack had a piratelicious good time on your ship. Aargh, matey!

Okay, enough with the pirate talk and on to the party. Nothing like Spring and all the birthday parties that come with it (get ready for lots of birthday posts). This may go down as one of my favorite decorated parties. I knew when I saw the precious invites we were in for a good time. The pirate decor on site did not disappoint. Absolutely darling and so fun and festive! Loved it! (Erica, I may have to steal a few ideas--Cristina and I are really hoping to talk Jack and Sophia into a Pirates and Princesses/Mermaids party next Spring--yes, we are thinking it will be the last year those two can

co-celebrate before they are off to Kindergarten with new friends--sniff, sniff--so better do it while we can).

My little shipmate enjoyed himself at the Pirate Cove. It took us a good 40 minutes to get there, but once we did Jack was a happy boy. He mentioned on our travels, "Mommy, the pirates sure do live far away". "Yes, they do Jack, and that is a good thing". Who really wants to live next to pirates anyway? I think my cautious Jack was relieved to know that even "pretend" pirates don't live close.

Jack left the Pirate Cove with a shiny sword, black hat, skull eye patch, gold pirate loot, and a giant smile. Although, he would have loved to stay longer, this pirate had a plane to catch. Off to sunny Florida to visit Grammy and Grampa with his Daddy. He wore his pirate get up all the way in the car to meet Daddy. Then I had to convince him to give up the goods--I don't think that sword would have made it through security. I assured Peg Leg Jack that his Pirate goodies would be waiting for him when he returned.

Speaking of...I sure do miss my little shipmate.

Someone has to protect the ship. Pirate Jack was on the job--shooting foam balls {and might I add, only yellow and blue ones--his favorite colors} from the cannons.

Burying his treasure?

Even pirates get hungry. I think Miller was doing his best pirate impersonation here. And forgot the thought of Jack actually putting down his juice to take a picture. So this is what we have of Captain Miller and his Shipmate, Jack. I get what I can these days.

Because He Can

Jack spent a lazy afternoon playing outside in a tee shirt,

Thomas undies, and his yellow monkey rain boots...all because he can.

I love this about him. No modesty. Jut a three year old boy having fun. This simple act on his part, which he absolutely put no thought into, actually did the opposite for me.

It was a gentle reminder to cherish these moments. These moments of pure innocence. I loathe the day when he starts caring about what other people think. Mainly other children. To date his heart has never really been hurt. (Maybe slightly bruised, but never truly wounded). I dread the day he actually comes to me with a wounded heart feeling embarrassed or defeated. And although this current stage in his life is beyond physically demanding, it has yet to be truly emotionally demanding. And to me that is when things will really get tough.

I can only hope that all Clay and I teach him from now until then will prepare him for those moments. I pray for his confidence and true forgiveness of others. I pray that he will be himself and always follow his heart. I know there will be a day where my tough little guy in undies is no longer so tough or so free. A day when playing outside pantless wearing rain boots will get him made fun of. I cannot protect him forever, that I know, but I think (or at least hope) I can prepare him to handle life's not so perfect moments.

So until that day, (which unbelievably is right around the corner), I'm going to let my innocent Jack climb trees in his undies, run naked through the sprinklers, and mismatch his shoes...all because he can. There is nothing comparable to 3 year old innocence. Cherish it...

Bachelor Finale

How happy am I to find out I'm not the only 30 something year old addicted to The Bachelor?

I spent a fabulous Monday evening with fellow fans, who happen to be great friends of mine too...top that. Dear Kristen, who I must note has a 3 1/2 month old, hosted a Bachelor Finale party. Can you say super Mom? Well, between the yummy eats, the wonderful company and, of course the 3 hour finale, it was a great evening. A very late night, but certainly great! I was feeling it this morning.

Pair one of my favorite shows with a group of girls gabbing about it and we definitely had fun. I could have done without the side conversations during show time...just kidding girls! We must have shushed each other and rewound at least a dozen times. Gotta love technology!

You will never hear me complaining about an excuse to have a girls night. So worth it and always well needed. Thanks Kristen for being the awesome host you are!

See you girls next season?

The only rule was...don't dress up. Cas and comfy. Hmm...who broke that rule?

A Walking Magpie

It took 15 looong months, but I am proud to announce my Maggie is a walker! The most independent steps she has taken to date are a whopping 30! Go Mags!

I have found this journey to a walking Maggie to have been exciting, a test of patience, amazing, and prideful all at the same time. Every new experience with Maggie is just that...'new'. She has taught me that being her Mommy isn't the same thing as being Jack's Mommy. And I truly love her for that.

This accomplishment hasn't come without its fair share of hard work and hard prayers. But just to see the grin on her face and the pride in her steps have made it all worth it. Sometimes I have to take a double take when I see her walking towards me without any assistance. It melts my heart in only a way that Maggie has the power to.

We are so incredibly proud of you Magpie. Here's to a beautiful Spring and Summer in a vertical position! (Does this mean I have to call her a "toddler" now?)

*No video of our sweet Maggie is complete without a guest appearance from big brother, excuse his apparel (or lack of). And on that note, excuse Maggie's too--it was right before bath time and she had already shedded the top layer of her precious outfit.*

Maggie Walking from Paula Cibula on Vimeo.

Makin' Music

Making music with Maggie is one of the highlights of my week. After 4 consecutive years of this class, you would think I would have had enough. But, taking Mags is a whole new experience--an absolute blissful one at that. My Maggie is a music lover so there is no better place to spend a Friday with her.

In her usual, 'take it all in' kind of way, Maggie adores this Mommy and me time. She's quiet, but in a very happy content sort of way. She observes a lot and I just know she is soaking everything in. But, she has her fair share of participating too. Her favorites are the ball song and the instruments, preferably bells and drums.

Unlike Jack, in his days of music class, she is right by my side. If it were up to her, she would participate from the comfort of Mommy's lap. Back in the Jack days, there was no sitting, just lots of chasing. Don't get me wrong. He adored class too, but in a very 'on the move' kind of way. I'm still trying to figure out if this is a boy vs girl thing or first child vs second child thing. Maybe a little of both? Or maybe God just decided I needed a little break. If it's the latter...thank you Lord!

So how can I be so sure that Maggie loves her Friday music class? For one, she grins from ear to ear as soon as we walk in the building while I narrate where we are off to--a sure sign. Another clue is her singing from the back seat of the car as we listen to our music class CD--it is absolutely the most precious sound to listen to. And finally, the way she lights up when the instruments come out. So, being her Mommy, I just know. And trust me, this gal of mine is not scared to tell me when she is unhappy.

A little egg shaking. The only issue we have with the eggs is that she wants the one I'm shaking. She puts hers down, reaches for mine, I give it to her, I grab one off the floor, shake it, and the cycle starts again. When will she ever realize they are all the same?

Don't let this pensive face fool you. Maggie loves the ball song. She chants "bah, bah, bah", the entire time Mrs. Anna is distributing them. And ironically enough, Maggie wants to play "bah" with the other children, not even me. That's a first...and generally, an only.

The scarf dance wears me out. Maggie wants to be held through the entire jig with scarves in hand. She does enjoy it though. Add a couple dips and turns in there and she is all smiles.

Where is Maggie? When I get worn out, we sit for a little dancing peek-a-boo, scarf style.

Anything that resembles a bracelet is a bracelet...to Maggie any way. She can have her entire arm filled by the end of the instrument song. Absolutely darling, in such a girly way.

Book Review: Midwives

Another great book! I'm sure you're thinking that I like every book I read. That is certainly not true. But, I have been blessed with friends, okay mainly Erin, that do the dirty work for me. She reads and then passes on the list to me. Works out perfectly. Not to mention, I'm pretty sure I've figured out what I'll like and I won't and therefore, I can generally avoid the latter.

Like I said, Midwives was a great book. Definitely written for the female gender. Not that I think many men read this blog, but I thought I would point that out. It's very real, which makes it a bit scary in my opinion. Maybe because I'm in the child bearing age.

I loved the way it was written, partly through a diary and partly through the eyes of a Midwife's daughter. I am always intrigued when you can get two perspectives in a novel. The story line basis involves a Midwife who performs an emergency C-section on a mother who is laboring at her home. Sadly the mother dies during labor. The remainder of the story is the emotional and legal battles that the family experiences.

I believe it was set back in the 1980's. So it wasn't my usual favorite historical fiction. But, it did have just enough of that "not present day" feel to pacify me. Not to mention it took place in a fairly rural town in Vermont which definitely doesn't remind me of my everyday life. Maybe that's why I enjoyed it so much.

I don't want to give away too much more, but the ending did surprise me. Not shocking, but it was not what I had expected. It may or may not do the same to you.

Having said all that, it is a definite "yes" on my list. If you read it, let me know your thoughts!

Happy Reading!